Berlin-based artist TMPLT starts his own label [TMPLT Records] with a double LP named ‘The Verge’ [TMPLT001]. Inspired by the likes of The Prodigy, Martyn, Finger Lickin’ Records and a lot more, TMPLT creates 12 unique tracks with dark and massive bassline impacts. The Verge is a musical journey through various genres such as drum ‘n’ bass, breakbeat, dub techno away from the typical 4-to-the-floor rhythm. TMPLT is using his broad musical spectrum in every song to present different styles and moods across musical borders.
FACTS:
1: Health is a person’s most important asset.
2: Back in the day, the Berghain Floor closed before the Panorama Bar.
3: Making money does NOT equate to happiness.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
My biggest inspirations are old vinyl records (rare imprints especially), being in nature, and my job at Native Instruments. I would describe myself as a tech-nerd… digging into the finer details and understanding how it all works. Artists-wise I would say Martyn, Soul of Man, and few others such as A Skillz from Fingerlickin’ Records.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
When I was 14 years old, I bought my first 1210 Technics. I started to make my own music was when I was 16 with Reason 1 or 2 if I remember correctly. My Brother always recorded live events such as the first big indoor event here in Germany called Mayday on VHS. Then I saw acts such as Takkyu Ishino live at Mayday in 2000. My opinion is that his set could be played at Berghain today.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
1. Burial – Untrue
2. Massive Attack – Mezzanine
3. Nas – Illmatic
4. Air – Moon Safari
5. The Prodigy – Music for The Jilted Generation
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Freedom, CRAZY history and I remember a time when the rents weren’t too high. I’ve been living here for 14 years and in this time a lot changed. Club wise I remember that back in the day, the Berghain Floor closed before Panorama Bar Floor.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
I enjoy the “Boxi” (Boxhagener Platz) quite a bit. I love the food market every Saturday and to be honest, I really like every food market here. I really enjoy that you can drive 30 minutes in any direction and you are in nature. This combination of urban and nature makes Berlin special to me.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would learn a programming language in order to develop software for making music. Medical research would be interesting as I would love to have (in the near future) a cure for any kind of cancer.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
Burial – Burial (HDBLP001) at discogs.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
At the Moment? I would say Pharrel Williams or Dj Premier on the hip hop side of things, electronic/techno-wise I would say Surgeon or Blawan.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
As a performer, definitely the gig at Sisyphos, but I played a lot for the Members Crew here in Berlin. I played the small room at the Kosmonaut Club, with Monika Kruse playing the big room.
Another one of my more memorable performances was at the Hotbox. After playing for 7 1/2 hours (from 5:30 am to 1 pm on a Sunday), the club had to close at 2 pm, but there was still a lot of energy and people left there. I believe we could have played 2 to 5 hours more!
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Very important. I check daily on new trends, products and techniques since it has strong relevance to my role at Native Instruments. For the album I purchased new synths and outboard gear such as JoMoX999, Roland SH 101 and a few more VSTs (software instruments) in order to be more experimental sound-wise. I also ordered the Martion Bullfrog monitors, but because of Corona, they were not able to produce them in time.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
My Brother is 4 years older and he is proud of what I am doing. He was producing back in the day. He listens to every new production of mine and his opinion is very, very important to me.
Photo © TMPLT Records
